2026-0262-PW Water and Wastewater Rate Study Addendum 1

SANTA FE COUNTY
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Rate
Study
NM Commodity Code(s): 92596, 92597,
92695, 95895, 96892, 96895, 96896
RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
April, 2026

RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
I. ADVERTISEMENT .......................................................................................................4
II. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................5
A. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ............................................5
B. BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................5
C. SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................................................5
D. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................9
E. PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST ..........................................................................9
F. DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY ...................................................................10
III. CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE PROCUREMENT...............................................12
A. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ..................................................................................12
B. EXPLANATION OF EVENTS ...........................................................................13
1. Issuance of RFP .........................................................................................13
2. Pre-Proposal Conference ...........................................................................13
3. Acknowledgement of Receipt Form Due ..................................................13
4. Deadline to Submit Additional Written Questions ...................................13
5. Response to Written Questions .................................................................13
6. Submission of Proposals ...........................................................................14
7. Proposal Evaluation ...................................................................................14
8. Selection of Finalists .................................................................................14
9. Best and Final Offers from Finalists (If applicable) .................................15
10. Oral Presentations by Finalists (If applicable) ..........................................15
11. Contract Negotiations ...............................................................................15
12. Contract Award .........................................................................................15
13. Right to Protest .........................................................................................16
C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ...........................................................................16
1. Acceptance of Conditions Governing the Procurement ............................16
2. Incurring Cost ............................................................................................16
3. Prime Contractor Responsibility ...............................................................16
4. Subcontractors ...........................................................................................16
5. Amended Proposals ...................................................................................17
6. Offerors' Rights to Withdraw Proposal ....................................................17
7. Proposal Offer Firm ..................................................................................17
8. Disclosure of Proposed Contents ..............................................................17
9. No Obligation ............................................................................................18
10. Termination ...............................................................................................18
11. Sufficient Appropriation ...........................................................................18
12. Legal Review ............................................................................................18
13. Governing Law .........................................................................................18
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
14. Basis for Proposal....................................................................................18
15. Contract Terms and Conditions...............................................................18
16. Contract Deviations .................................................................................19
17. Offeror Qualifications ..............................................................................19
18. Right to Waive Minor Irregularities ........................................................19
19. Change in Contractor Representatives .....................................................19
20. Notice .......................................................................................................19
21. County Rights ..........................................................................................19
22. Right to Publish .......................................................................................19
23. Ownership of Proposal.........................................................20
24. Electronic Mail Address Recommended .................................................20
25. Preference in Procurement by Santa Fe County ......................................20
26. Double-Sided Documents ........................................................................22
27. Living Wage ............................................................................................22
IV. RESPONSE FORMAT AND ORGANIZATION ........................................................23
A. NUMBER OF RESPONSES ...............................................................................23
B. NUMBER OF COPIES .......................................................................................23
C. PROPOSAL FORMAT .......................................................................................23
1. Proposal Organization ...............................................................................23
2. Letter of Transmittal ..................................................................................24
V. SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................26
A. INFORMATION .................................................................................................26
1. Time Frame ...............................................................................................26
B. EVALUATION CRITERIA ................................................................................26
1. Introduction ...............................................................................................26
2. Technical Competence and Specialized Experience .................................26
3. Evidence of Understanding Scope of Work ..............................................26
4. Capacity and Capability ............................................................................27
C. COST PROPOSAL .............................................................................................27
VI. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS ...............................................................................27
A. EVALUATION SCORING .................................................................................27
B. EVALUATION PROCESS .................................................................................28
APPENDICES
A. Acknowledgement of Receipt Form ....................................................................30
B. Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form ............................................................31
C. Resident Veterans Preference Certification...........................................34
D. Cost Proposal .......................................................................................................35
E. Sample Agreement ................................................................................................36
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
I. ADVERTISEMENT
SANTA FE COUNTY
Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Rate Study
2026-0262-PW
Santa Fe County requests proposals from qualified vendors or firms to provide a comprehensive
water and wastewater rate study. All proposals submitted shall be valid for ninety (90) days subject
to action by the County. Santa Fe County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals in part or
in whole. A completed proposal shall be submitted in a sealed container indicating the proposal title
and number along with the Offeror's name and address clearly marked on the outside of the
container. All proposals must be received by 2:00PM on Thursday May, 7 2026 at the Santa Fe
County Purchasing Division, 102 Grant Avenue, (First Floor), Santa Fe, NM 87501. The
submission of Proposals will also be accepted electronically utilizing a DropBox. Please utilize this
link to upload your proposal submission.
https://www.dropbox.com/request/CwDA4uzdCzFoaERHqqFG Log into dropbox to obtain a link
for vendors to upload proposals.
By submitting a proposal for the requested services each Offeror is certifying that it is a qualified
firm and its proposal complies with the requirements stated within the Request for Proposals.
A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at 10am on Wednesday April, 22 2026 online via
Microsoft Teams at the following link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21329143500433?p=Q8XCwCH29APSrEFoUF or in person in
the Lamy Conference Room 102 Grant Ave., First Floor, Santa Fe, NM 87501. The Pre-
Proposal Conference is not mandatory but is highly recommended.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: All qualified Offerors will receive consideration of
contract(s) without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin, ancestry, age, physical and
mental handicap, serious medical condition, disability, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation or gender
identity.
Request for Proposals will be available by contacting Ben McCormack, Procurement Specialist Sr.,
102 Grant Avenue, (First Floor) Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, or by telephone at (505) 986-6337 ,
or by email at dmccormack@santafecountynm.gov or on our website at
http://www.santafecountynm.gov/finance/purchasing-division/current-bid-solicitations.
PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED ABOVE WILL NOT
BE CONSIDERED AND WILL BE REJECTED BY SANTA FE COUNTY.
Santa Fe County
Published April 5 and 6, 2026
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
II. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The Utilities Division of the Santa Fe County (SFC) Public works Department is seeking
proposals from qualified firms to conduct a comprehensive cost of service analysis and
rate study for its water and wastewater utility systems. SFC's long-term objective is to
operate its water and wastewater services as a sustainable enterprise fund, fully
independent of the SFC's General Fund. The previous SFC Cost of Service Study (2018)
and subsequent comments on the City of Santa Fe's 2021 study have identified the need
for a detailed financial plan and a multi-year rate schedule to achieve this goal. Through
this effort, we would also like to address aging infrastructure and ensure equitable rates for
all customer classes. The firm will be expected to build upon previous studies,
incorporating new data and addressing prior recommendations.
Currently, nine Master Meters convey and deliver SFC water through the City of Santa
Fe's water transmission and distribution system, at an average rate of 1225 AFY. Once
water is delivered to SFC, SFC provides potable water to over 4,000 residential users, 100
commercial users and the communities of Agua Fria, Canoncito, Eldorado and Las
Campanas. The SFC Utilities Division also operates a 24-hour Automated Bulk Water
Dispensing Facility "Ojo de Agua" Convenience Center, the new Turquoise Trail Bulk
Water Station, and the under-design Hondo Bulk Water Station. Approximately 1/3 of
these customers are also served by the Quill wastewater treatment plant. Current demand
sits at annual average and peak of approximately 34 Million Gallons (MG), 63 MG, 3.8
MG, 4.5 MG for water/wastewater respectively. Furthermore, planned development with
some areas already under construction, in the SFC Sustainable Development Area One
(SDA-1) is expected to require an additional 1273 AFY. Existing and future water demand
may be supplemented by an interconnect with the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System
(PBRWS) currently under construction. The interconnect is estimated to provide 1,000
AFY per year to the SFC water utility system.
B. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The Purpose of this Request for Proposal is to accomplish five main objectives:
1. Establish a Multi-Year Financial Plan: Develop a five-year financial model that
forecasts revenue requirements, operational expenses, and capital needs to ensure
the financial viability of the utility enterprise funds. The selected firm will also
review relevant County planning documents (e.g., the Water Utility master Plan
and Effluent Management Plan) and the County's current list of active/planned
water and wastewater projects underway with timelines.
2. Conduct a Comprehensive Cost of Service Analysis: Perform a detailed analysis
to accurately determine the costs of providing service to each customer class (e.g.,
residential, commercial, wholesale) and meter size.
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
3. Develop a Transparent Rate Structure: Design a multi-year rate schedule that is
equitable, easy for customers to understand, and aligns with the SFC's long-
standing water conservation policies, such as the increasing block rate design.
Additionally, the firm shall evaluate the existing tiered rate structure and develop
two additional rate structure options, including pros/cons and associated revenues
over time.
4. Establish Appropriate Utility Reserve Accounts: Provide a clear framework for
establishing and managing a rate stabilization fund and a capital replacement fund,
with a plan for an initial reserve transfer from the General Fund and a strategy for
future funding from utility revenues. Furthermore, a clear Year 1 baseline Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) funding level with growth-based CIP funding escalation
(e.g., percent increases tied to projected customer growth) to support future
infrastructure needs shall be identified.
5. Benchmark Regional Rates: Include a detailed comparison of SFC's proposed
rates with other regional utility providers to ensure competitiveness and
affordability.
C. SCOPE OF WORK
The Project will be executed in a phased approach for both water and wastewater utilities. The
selected firm's scope of work shall include, but is not limited to, the following tasks:
Phase 1: Financial & Data Review
1. Review all relevant financial records, including recent financial statements,
audits, and budgets for the water and wastewater utilities.
2. Analyze the current five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and other capital
project documentation.
3. Obtain and review customer billing data, including consumption patterns by
customer class, to inform the cost allocation process.
4. Evaluate the current fixed and variable components of the rate structure and
their effectiveness.
Phase 2: Cost of Service Analysis & Financial Modeling
1. Calculate the total revenue requirement needed to cover all operational costs,
debt service, and capital funding.
2. Utilize the industry-standard methodologies to allocate costs to customer
classes based on their unique usage patterns and demands on the system's
infrastructure.
3. Develop a rate model that allows SFC to test and evaluate various rate design
scenarios and forecast future revenue sufficiency.
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
Phase 3: Rate Design & Implementation Plan
1. Propose a revised rate structure for each utility (water and wastewater) that
recovers the allocated cost of service. This shall include a multi-year schedule
of increases to avoid rate shock to customers.
2. Provide a regional rate comparison of a typical residential bill (e.g., 6,000
gallons per month) with at least three other New Mexico counties or
municipalities, such as Los Alamos, Bernalillo, and Dona Ana counties. We
also request that the firm utilize our current average consumption value based
on a normalization approach (e.g., typical bills at multiple usage levels and/or
meter sizes).
3. Outline a detailed public outreach and education plan to communicate the
purpose and necessity of the rate adjustments to the public. If directed by the
County, including explicit conservation-oriented pricing objectives would
support the notion that our rates drive conservation.
Phase 4: Utility Reserve Account Project
1. Develop a formal policy and framework for the creation and purpose of utility
reserve accounts, including the rate stabilization fund and capital replacement
fund.
2. Calculate the necessary funding targets for each reserve account and provide a
detailed plan for initial funding and ongoing contributions.
3. Develop a strategy for transitioning the utilities to a financially self-sustaining
enterprise fund and for phasing out reliance on the General Fund.
Deliverables
The selected firm will be expected to provide the following deliverables:
1. Project Kick-Off Meeting and Work Plan: A detailed work plan and timeline
presented to the SFC Utilities Division.
2. Draft & Final Cost of Service Analysis and Rate Study Reports:
Comprehensive reports detailing the analysis, findings, and proposed multi-year rate
schedule.
3. Rate Model: A functional financial model that can be updated and used by SFC
staff for future financial planning and rate analysis. This model shall be provided
in a transparent, non-proprietary format that is exportable to (and preferably native
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
in) Excel.
4. Public Presentation Materials: Clear and concise presentation materials for
public forums, meetings with the Board of County Commissioners, participating in
working sessions, coordinating with the Water Policy Advisory Committee, and
supporting a feedback process.
5. Reserve Account Policy Recommendation: A formal document outlining the
recommended policies and funding strategies for the utility reserve accounts.
The firm shall also recommend a sustainable phase-in period (e.g., 2-5 years as
appropriate) with quantified annual bill and revenue impacts.
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
D. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The insurance required by Offeror are listed below.
1. General Conditions. Contractor shall submit evidence of insurance as is required
herein. Policies of insurance shall be written by companies authorized to write such
insurance in New Mexico.
2. General Liability Insurance, Including Automobile. Contractor shall procure and
maintain during the life of this Agreement a comprehensive general liability and
automobile insurance policy with liability limits in amounts not less than $1,000,000
combined single limits of liability for bodily injury, including death, and property
damage for any one occurrence. Said policies of insurance shall include coverage
for all operations performed for County by Contractor; coverage for the use of all
owned, non-owned, hired automobiles, vehicles and other equipment, both on and
off work; and contractual liability coverage under which this Agreement is an
insured contract. County of Santa Fe shall be a named additional insured on the
policy.
3. Workers' Compensation Insurance. Contractor shall comply with the provisions of
the Workers' Compensation Act.
4. Professional Liability Insurance. The Contractor shall procure and maintain during
the life of this Agreement a Professional Liability Insurance.
5. Increased Limits. If, during the life of this Agreement, the Legislature of the State
of New Mexico increases the maximum limits of liability under the Tort Claims Act
(NMSA 1978, Sections 41-4-1 through 41-4-29, as amended), Contractor shall
increase the maximum limits of any insurance required herein.
E. DESIGNATED PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST
The County has designated a Procurement Specialist who is responsible for the conduct of
this procurement whose name, address and telephone number is listed below. All deliveries
via express carrier should be addressed as follows:
Ben McCormack, Procurement Specialist Senior
Santa Fe County Purchasing Division
102 Grant Avenue, First Floor
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: (505)986-6337
Email: dmccormack@santafecountynm.gov
Any inquiries or requests regarding this procurement should be submitted to the
Procurement Specialist in writing. Offerors may ONLY contact the Procurement
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RFP NO. 2026-0262-PW
Specialist listed above regarding the procurement. Other County employees do not
have the authority to respond on behalf of the County.
F. DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY
This section contains definitions and abbreviations that are used throughout this
procurement document.
"BCC" means the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners
"Close of Business" means 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time or Mountain Daylight Time,
whichever is in effect on the date given.
"Contract" or "Agreement" means a written agreement for the procurement of items of
tangible personal property or services.
"Contractor" means a successful offeror who enters into a binding contract.
"County" means Santa Fe County.
"Determination" means the written documentation of a decision by the Procurement Manager
including findings of fact supporting a decision. A determination becomes part of the
procurement file.
"Desirable" The terms "may", "can", "should", "preferably", or "prefers" to identify a
desirable or discretionary item or factor (as opposed to "mandatory").
"Evaluation Committee" means a body appointed by the County management to perform the
evaluation of offeror proposals.
"Finalist" is defined as an offeror who meets all the mandatory specifications of this Request
for Proposals and whose score on evaluation factors is sufficiently high to merit further
consideration by the Evaluation Committee.
"Mandatory" The terms "must", "shall", "will", "is required", or "are required", identify a
mandatory item or factor (as opposed to "desirable"). Failure to meet a mandatory item or
factor will result in the rejection of the offeror's proposal.
"Offeror" is any person, corporation, or partnership who chooses to submit a proposal.
"Procurement Manager" means the person or designee authorized by the County and the
State of New Mexico to make all procurement determinations pursuant to NMSA 1978,
Chapter 13 of the State Procurement Code and County Purchasing Regulations and Policies.
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